First Aid

Having a well-stocked first aid kit is important. Whether it is in your home or your car, having a first aid kit nearby is essential to be prepared for an emergency.

Good kits come in many different shapes and size and often have a variety of different items. There are many places where you can purchase complete first aid kits. (We even sell them at our corporate office if you are interested in purchasing one.)

But whether you purchase your kit or choose to make one yourself, it is important that you make sure it contains a few essentials.

Make sure your first aid kit contains these five items:

Antiseptic Wipes

Antiseptic wipes help to reduce the risk of infection and expedite the healing process. They are ideal for cleaning wounds when rubbing alcohol is not available. These wipes usually come in small individual packets and the single-use design helps eliminate the worry of cross contamination.

Bandages

Adhesive bandages should be a part of any first aid kit. They can be used to cover a wound and protect it from dirt, water, and germs that could cause an infection.

Latex Gloves

If a victim is bleeding, it is necessary that you create a barrier between your hands and the victim’s wound to prevent yourself from coming into contact with their blood. Putting on gloves is one of the first things you should do when helping a victim. Having a spare pair of latex gloves will ensure that you are always protected.

Gauze Pads

Gauze pads are sterile, absorbent pieces of cloth or polyester that help clean wounds and reduce the risk of infection. Gauze can also be used to stop excessive bleeding, and the pads are able to cover larger wounds than a bandage.

Breathing Barrier

If CPR has to be performed, you will want to have a breathing barrier available in your first aid kit. This barrier protects the rescuer by preventing him or her from coming in direct contact with the victim’s mouth.

When putting together a First Aid Kit, make sure that you have included these items. This is the first step in being prepared for an emergency. However, having a properly stocked first aid kit is often not enough. It is also important to make sure that you have proper First Aid and CPR/AED training.

If you are interested in signing up for a Red Cross certified first aid class, visit our website for a list of appointments.

If an emergency occurs and someone needs mediate medical attention like CPR, the odds are not in their favor. A study from Duke University finds that only 3.5 percent of people each year are properly trained in CPR.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is a lifesaving technique that can be administered to someone during an emergency. CPR is commonly used on a person who has drowned or experienced a heart attack, causing their heartbeat or breathing to stop.

During each minute that CPR is not initiated with someone who has stopped breathing or does not have a pulse, survival rates drop by 10 percent.

The American Heart Association recommends that any bystander should take action if someone is in need of CPR. Even if you aren’t confident in your ability or fearful of your knowledge about CPR, you need to take action.

The difference between acting and not acting could be the deciding factor in saving a person’s life.

If you are untrained in CPR – or, even if you are trained but rusty – the American Heart Association recommends that you provide hands-only CPR at the rate of 100 chest compressions per minute to any adult needing CPR.

However, before you begin chest compressions make sure that someone has called 911. The proper way to perform chest compression is as follows:

1. Put the person on his or her back on a firm surface.
2. Kneel next to the person’s neck and shoulders
3. Place the heel of your hand over the center of a person’s chest between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Make sure you keep your elbows straight, and your shoulders should be positioned directly above your hands.
4. Use your upper body weight to push straight down on the chest. You will want to make sure you push at least 2 inches deep.
5. Continue chest compressions until there are signs of improvement or until trained emergency medical personal can takeover.

Remember, performing chest compression is only a single step in successfully performing CPR during an emergency. You will need to be formally trained in CPR to be able to add the breathing component. Also, chest compression is performed differently on a child or newborn than stated above. If you have a child or newborn in your life, please seek proper training.

Don’t be one of the 96.5 percent of people who wouldn’t know what to do during an emergency. Empower yourself by registering for a CPR/AED and First Aid class today and help save someone’s life.

We offer CPR classes every month! Browse our online calendar to register for a class that fits your schedule!